Joe Garcia, the president of the National Congress of American Indians, says his job is to help NCAI serve as a watchdog for Indian Country.

Garcia, the governor of Ohkay Owingeh in New Mexico, was elected last November. He attended his first NCAI conference a decade ago and left with a new understanding of the issues facing Native Americans.

"I realized then it's not just my pueblo and not just the pueblos (in New Mexico) that are in dire need. It's the entire Indian Country that is in dire need," he told the Associated Press.

As president, Garcia is focusing on health care, education, public safety, trust reform and telecommunications.

Get the Story:
Pueblo leader pushes for changes for American Indians (AP 8/12)
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Relevant Links:
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org

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